Modification of Fatty Acid Biosynthesis using Recombinant Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase Sequences from Rygrass (lolium) and Fescue (festuca)

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences for fatty acid biosynthesis enzymes in plants, and the use thereof for the modification of, for example, fatty acid biosynthesis in plants. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acids or nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences of diacylglycerol acyltransferase enzymes.

The present invention relates to nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences for fatty acid biosynthesis enzymes in plants, and the use thereof for the modification of fatty acid biosynthesis in plants.

In most plants (including Lolium perenne) the majority of leaf lipids are attached to a glycerol backbone and exist as diacylglycerols. These are incorporated into lipid bi-layers where they function as membranes of multiple sub-cellular organelles or the as the membrane of the cell itself. The majority of lipid bilayer in the leaf is the chloroplast thylakoid membrane. A smaller amount of leaf lipid exists as epicuticular waxes and an even smaller percentage is present in the form of triacylglycerol (TAG).

Most plants (including Lolium perenne) synthesise and store TAG in developing embryos and pollen cells where it is subsequently utilised to provide catabolizable energy during germination and pollen tube growth. Dicotyledonous plants can accumulate up to approximately 60% of their seed weight as TAG. Ordinarily, this level is considerably lower in the monocotyledonous seeds where the main form of energy storage is carbohydrates (e.g., starch).

The only committed step in TAG biosynthesis is the last one, i.e., the addition of a third fatty acid to an existing diacylglycerol, thus generating TAG. In plants this step is performed by one of three enzymes including: acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT1); an unrelated acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyl transferase (DGAT2); and phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) (Zou et al., 1999; Bouvier-Nave et al., 2000; Dahlqvist et al., 2000; Lardizabal et al., 2001). The feeding value of grazed pastures is defined as an animal production response and is quantified by weight gain or milk yield. Nutritive value is a response per unit of feed intake and therefore feeding value is a function of both intake and the efficiency with which the animal utilises the products of digestion (Ulyatt 1973). The plant factors that influence feeding value include species, cultivar, plus responses to environment and grazing management. Examples of differences in feeding value among species include the lower performance of animals grazing subtropical grasses such as kikuyu in comparison to temperate grasses such as perennial ryegrass and timothy (Buxton and Mertens 1995). Differences also occur among temperate-grass species. The high feeding value of timothy relative to perennial ryegrass is associated with its later flowering, endophyte-free status and slower decline in digestibility as tillers become reproductive (Charlton and Stewart 2000). The higher feeding value of legumes such as white clover is a major reason for their inclusion in temperate pastures. White clover improves feeding value for young sheep by 50-100% over grasses and by 15-35% over other forage legume species (Ulyatt 1981). This results from greater intake, higher N content, more rapid particle breakdown, and more efficient use of digested nutrients by the animals fed white clover. Herbs such as chicory have also been introduced over the past decade to improve feeding value.

The impact of plant improvement within species to improve nutritive value is probably more contentious. Traditionally pasture plant improvement has focussed on the development of high yielding, pest and disease resistant, and persistent cultivars. While these traits continue to be important for the commercial success of released cultivars, breeding objectives have diversified to include improved protein/energy balance, increased by-pass protein levels, leaf properties affecting intake, and manipulation of compounds that affect animal health, animal welfare, reproductive fertility, animal product flavour and texture (Caradus et al. 2000). Typically pasture plants are relatively rich in protein in comparison to their energy content, as a result, much of the ingested protein is degraded by rumen micro-organisms and lost from the animal in the form of urea (Ulyatt et al., 1988). Nitrogen losses can be reduced by improving the energy content of the forage (Ulyatt 1981; Ulyatt et al., 1988).

Primary and secondary fermentation within the rumen leads to the production of hydrogen, acetate, propionate, butyrate and carbon dioxide. Methanogens are able to use the hydrogen and acetate (as well as formate, methanol and mono-, di- and tri-methylamine) but not propionate or butyrate, as substrates for producing methane (McAllister et al., 1996). The production of methane is believed to act as an electron sink for unwanted hydrogen, thus allowing all ruminal fermentation microorganisms to achieve higher yields of ATP. The interspecies hydrogen transfer between the rumen methanogens and other rumen microorganisms enables a more complete digestion of poor quality feeds that have relatively high fibre levels. However, methane production also represents a 2-15% loss of gross energy intake to the ruminant (Sauer et al., 1998), and methane has been identified as a major contributor to green house gases. The combination of these two negative factors has lead industry to identify the mitigation of methanogenesis as a major target. The challenge is to mitigate methanogenesis in ruminants without causing a negative impact on ruminant production.

Typically, artificial ruminant diets containing high concentrations of fatty acids leads to both reduced methane production and reduced fibre degradation. The reduced methane production is partly due to a) the direct toxic effect of long chain fatty acids on methanogens; and b) the reduction of one of the substrates (hydrogen and acetate) used in the synthesis of methane. The latter is caused by the relative toxic effects of fatty acids to both protozoa and gram-positive cellulolytic acetate producing bacteria but not to the propionate-producing gram-negative bacteria; thus resulting in a reduction of hydrogen, total volatile fatty acid concentration and acetate:proprionate ratio in the rumen (Wettstein et al., 2000). The concomitant reduction in fibre degradation is caused by the physical coating of fibres by lipids and by the toxic effects of fatty acids on the protozoa and gram-positive cellulolytic bacteria (Jal{hacek over (c)} and {hacek over (C)}ere{hacek over (s)}{hacek over (n)}áková, 2001). However, when lipids are supplied in a partially rumen-protected form (e.g., whole crushed oilseeds) the negative influence on fibre digestion appears to be greatly negated (Machmüller et al., 2000; Wettstein et al., 2000). The degree of unsaturation of dietary lipid was also found to influence methanogenesis (Fievez et al., 2003).

It has been demonstrated that the lipid profile of ruminant animal feed in turn influences the lipid profile of meat and dairy products. Different plants have different lipid profiles; by selectively feeding animals only plants with the desired lipid profile it is possible to positively influence the lipid profile of downstream meat and dairy products. Given the relatively low level of lipid accumulation in the bulk of plant tissue the efficacy of this change is less than desirable. However, by supplemental feeding with TAG (made up of the preferred lipids) it is possible to make dramatic changes in the lipid profile of the final products.

The majority of the supplemented high ω-3 foods are using either ω-3-eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3) or dosohexanoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) or a mixture of both; these are usually sourced from fish oil which is both expensive and potentially in limiting supply. A cheap and sustainable alternative would be to modify the feed intake of the animal to effect the same positive downstream changes in the lipid profiles of meat and dairy products. In unprotected supplementation feeding trials it is apparent that selection of the fatty acid composition to feed is important in determining the fatty acid composition of the resulting milk and meat fat. While the results were variable, supplementation (with no additional protection) with ω-3 rich oils including linseed oil (approximately 50% linolenic, C18:3n-3) and fish oils lead to 2 fold increases in their corresponding lipid in the meat while also lowering ω-6 fats (for reviews see: Chilliard et al., 2001; Demeyer and Doreau 1999; Ponnampalam et al., 2001; McNamee et al., 2002). In general, elevated levels of C18:2 only result in increased levels of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) whereas elevated levels of the w3 fatty acid C18:3n-3 results in increased levels of CLA and C18:3n-3; fish oil supplements resulted in increased levels of longer chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

CLA is formed as an intermediate during the biohydrogenation of linoleic acid by the rumen bacterium Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens (Dhinman et al., 2000); hence complete protection of fatty acids would prohibit the production of CLA. A large portion of human dietary CLA comes from dairy and beef products that are relatively rich in CLA with the highest levels of CLA being found in pasture fed animals (Dewhurst and Scollan 1998; Demeyer and Doreau 1999; Kay et al., 2002). Numerous feeding trials have evaluated supplemental feeding with a variety of TAG sources and the effect on the formation of CLA in the milk and muscle (for reviews see: Scollan et al., 2001a; Kelly et al., 1998; Demeyer and Doreau 1999; Wood et al., 1999; Bauman et al., 2000; Chilliard et al., 2001; Kay et al., 2002). The efficacy of these trials ranged from 28% increase to over 500% increase in the CLA level. The higher levels were achieved under continuous infusion rather than single or double administrations during the day. Supplemental oils varied from linoleic, linolenic and fish oils which are rich in long chain polyunsaturates in particular C20:5n-3 and C22-6n-3. The most efficient supplement appeared to be linoleic, although all other supplements were frequently reported to result in 2-3 fold increases (Scollan et al., 2001a&b).

Accordingly there is a need for a system to mitigate methane production to reduce nitrogen losses and increase healthy lipids in the meat and milk of ruminants.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least alleviate, one or more of these needs in light of the prior art.

In one aspect, the present invention provides substantially purified or isolated nucleic acids encoding amino acid sequences of diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT1) enzymes, and functionally active fragments and variants thereof.

The present invention also provides substantially purified or isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences for a class of polypeptides which are related to DGAT1. Such polypeptides are referred to herein as DGAT1-like. The genes which encode these polypeptides are expressed in a similar manner to DGAT1. The invention also encompasses functionally active fragments and variants of nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides.

As used herein the term DGAT1-like relates to polypeptides that are produced in the plant in substantially the same organs and at substantially the same developmental stages as DGAT1.

The nucleic acid fragments may be obtained from ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species. These species may be of any suitable type, including Italian or annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, meadow fescue and red fescue. Preferably the species is a ryegrass, more preferably perennial ryegrass (L. perenne).

Nucleic acids according to the invention may be full-length genes or part thereof, and are also referred to as “nucleic acid fragments” and “nucleotide sequences” in this specification.

The nucleic acid fragment may be of any suitable type and includes DNA (such as cDNA or genomic DNA) and RNA (such as mRNA) that is single- or double-stranded, optionally containing synthetic, non-natural or altered nucleotide bases, and combinations thereof.

The term “isolated” means that the material is removed from its original environment (eg. the natural environment if it is naturally occurring). For example, a naturally occurring nucleic acid fragment or polypeptide present in a living plant is not isolated, but the same nucleic acid fragment or polypeptide separated from some or all of the coexisting materials in the natural system, is isolated. Such an isolated nucleic acid fragment could be part of a vector and/or such nucleic acid fragments could be part of a composition, and still be isolated in that such a vector or composition is not part of its natural environment.

By “functionally active” in respect of a nucleotide sequence is meant that the fragment or variant (such as an analogue, derivative or mutant) is capable of modifying fatty acid biosynthesis in a plant. Such variants include naturally occurring allelic variants and non-naturally occurring variants. Additions, deletions, substitutions and derivatizations of one or more of the nucleotides are contemplated so long as the modifications do not result in loss of functional activity of the fragment or variant. Preferably the functionally active fragment or variant has at least approximately 80% identity to the relevant part of the above mentioned sequence, more preferably at least approximately 90% identity, most preferably at least approximately 95% identity. Such functionally active variants and fragments include, for example, those having nucleic acid changes which result in conservative amino acid substitutions of one or more residues in the corresponding amino acid sequence. Preferably the fragment has a size of at least 30 nucleotides, more preferably at least 45 nucleotides, most preferably at least 60 nucleotides.

By “functionally active” in the context of a polypeptide is meant that the fragment or variant has one or more of the biological properties of the enzyme DGAT1. Additions, deletions, substitutions and derivatizations of one or more of the amino acids are contemplated so long as the modifications do not result in loss of functional activity of the fragment or variant. Preferably the functionally active fragment or variant has at least approximately 60% identity to the relevant part of the above mentioned sequence, more preferably at least approximately 80% identity, most preferably at least approximately 90% identity. Such functionally active variants and fragments include, for example, those having conservative amino acid substitutions of one or more residues in the corresponding amino acid sequence. Preferably the fragment has a size of at least 10 amino acids, more preferably at least 15 amino acids, most preferably at least 20 amino acids.

By “operatively linked” is meant that said regulatory element is capable of causing expression of said nucleic acid in a plant cell and said terminator is capable of terminating expression of said nucleic acid in a plant cell. Preferably, said regulatory element is upstream of said nucleic acid and said terminator is downstream of said nucleic acid.

By “an effective amount” is meant an amount sufficient to result in an identifiable phenotypic trait in said plant, or a plant, plant seed or other plant part derived therefrom. Such amounts can be readily determined by an appropriately skilled person, taking into account the type of plant, the route of administration and other relevant factors. Such a person will readily be able to determine a suitable amount and method of administration. See, for example, Maniatis et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

It will also be understood that the term “comprises” (or its grammatical variants) as used in this specification is equivalent to the term “includes” and should not be taken as excluding the presence of other elements or features.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the substantially purified or isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a DGAT1 protein includes a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of (a) the sequence shown in FIG. 8 hereto; (b) complements of the sequence recited in (a); (c) sequences antisense to the sequence recited in (a) and (b); (d) functionally active fragments and variants of the sequences recited in (a), (b) and (c); and (e) RNA sequences corresponding to the sequences recited in (a), (b), (c) and (d).

The nucleic acid fragments of the present invention may be used to isolate cDNAs and genes encoding homologous proteins from the same or other plant species.

Additionally, genes encoding other DGAT1 enzymes, either as cDNAs or genomic DNAs, may be isolated directly by using all or a portion of the nucleic acid fragments of the present invention as hybridisation probes to screen libraries from the desired plant employing the methodology known to those skilled in the art. Specific oligonucleotide probes based upon the nucleic acid sequences of the present invention can be designed and synthesized by methods known in the art. Moreover, the entire sequences can be used directly to synthesize DNA probes by methods known to the skilled artisan such as random primer DNA labelling, nick translation, or end-labelling techniques, or RNA probes using available in vitro transcription systems. In addition, specific primers can be designed and used to amplify a part or all of the sequences of the present invention. The resulting amplification products can be labelled directly during amplification reactions or labelled after amplification reactions, and used as probes to isolate full length cDNA or genomic fragments under conditions of appropriate stringency.

In addition, two short segments of the nucleic acid fragments of the present invention may be used in polymerase chain reaction protocols to amplify longer nucleic acid fragments encoding homologous genes from DNA or RNA. The polymerase chain reaction may also be performed on a library of cloned nucleic acid fragments wherein the sequence of one primer is derived from the nucleic acid fragments of the present invention, and the sequence of the other primer takes advantage of the presence of the polyadenylic acid tracts to the 3′ end of the mRNA precursor encoding plant genes. Alternatively, the second primer sequence may be based upon sequences derived from the cloning vector. For example, those skilled in the art can follow the RACE protocol (Frohman et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:8998, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference) to generate cDNAs by using PCR to amplify copies of the region between a single point in the transcript and the 3′ or 5′ end. Using commercially available 3′ RACE and 5′ RACE systems (BRL), specific 3′ or 5′ cDNA fragments can be isolated (Ohara et al., (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad Sci USA 86:5673; Loh et al. (1989) Science 243:217). Products generated by the 3′ and 5′ RACE procedures can be combined to generate full-length cDNAs.

In a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a substantially purified or isolated polypeptide from a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species, selected from the group consisting DGAT1 enzymes, DGAT1-like polypeptides and functionally active fragments and variants thereof.

The ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species may be of any suitable type, including Italian or annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, meadow fescue and red fescue. Preferably the species is a ryegrass, more preferably perennial ryegrass (L. perenne).

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, there is provided a substantially purified or isolated DGAT1 polypeptide including an amino acid sequence selected from the group of sequences translated from nucleotide sequence shown in FIG. 8 hereto; and functionally active fragments and variants thereof.

In a further embodiment of this aspect of the invention, there is provided a polypeptide recombinantly produced from a nucleic acid according to the present invention. Techniques for recombinantly producing polypeptides are known to those skilled in the art.

Availability of the nucleotide sequences of the present invention and deduced amino acid sequences facilitates immunological screening of cDNA expression libraries. Synthetic peptides representing portions of the instant amino acid sequences may be synthesized. These peptides can be used to immunise animals to produce polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies with specificity for peptides and/or proteins comprising the amino acid sequences. These antibodies can be then used to screen cDNA expression libraries to isolate full-length cDNA clones of interest.

A genotype is the genetic constitution of an individual or group. Variations in genotype are essential in commercial breeding programs, in determining parentage, in diagnostics and fingerprinting, and the like. Genotypes can be readily described in terms of genetic markers. A genetic marker identifies a specific region or locus in the genome. The more genetic markers, the finer defined is the genotype. A genetic marker becomes particularly useful when it is allelic between organisms because it then may serve to unambiguously identify an individual. Furthermore, a genetic marker becomes particularly useful when it is based on nucleic acid sequence information that can unambiguously establish a genotype of an individual and when the function encoded by such nucleic acid is known and is associated with a specific trait. Such nucleic acids and/or nucleotide sequence information including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), variations in single nucleotides between allelic forms of such nucleotide sequence, can be used as perfect markers or candidate genes for the given trait. In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided use of nucleic acids of the present invention including SNP's, and/or nucleotide sequence information thereof, as molecular genetic markers.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of isolating a nucleic acid of the present invention including a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Nucleic acids and fragments thereof from a nucleic acid library may desirably be sequenced.

The nucleic acid library may be of any suitable type and is preferably a cDNA library. The nucleic acid fragments may be isolated from recombinant plasmids or may be amplified, for example using polymerase chain reaction. The sequencing may be performed by techniques known to those skilled in the art.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided use of a nucleic acid according to the present invention, and/or nucleotide sequence information thereof, as a molecular genetic marker. More particularly, nucleic acids according to the present invention and/or nucleotide sequence information thereof may be used as a molecular genetic marker for quantitative trait loci (QTL) tagging, QTL mapping, DNA fingerprinting and in marker assisted selection, particularly in ryegrasses and fescues. Even more particularly, nucleic acids according to the present invention and/or nucleotide sequence information thereof may be used as molecular genetic markers in forage and turf grass improvement, e.g. tagging QTLs for herbage quality traits, dry matter digestibility, mechanical stress tolerance, disease resistance, insect pest resistance, plant stature, leaf and stem colour. Even more particularly, sequence information revealing SNPs in allelic variants of the nucleic acids of the present invention and/or nucleotide sequence information thereof may be used as molecular genetic markers for QTL tagging and mapping and in marker assisted selection, particularly in ryegrasses and fescues.

In a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a construct including a nucleic acid according to the present invention. The construct may be a vector. In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the vector may include at least one regulatory element, such as a promoter, a nucleic acid according to the present invention and a terminator; said regulatory element, nucleic acid and terminator being operatively linked.

The vector may be of any suitable type and may be viral or non-viral. The vector may be an expression vector. Such vectors include chromosomal, non-chromosomal and synthetic nucleic acid sequences, eg. derivatives of plant viruses; bacterial plasmids; derivatives of the Ti plasmid from Agrobacterium tumefaciens, derivatives of the Ri plasmid from Agrobacterium rhizogenes; phage DNA; yeast artificial chromosomes; bacterial artificial chromosomes; binary bacterial artificial chromosomes; vectors derived from combinations of plasmids and phage DNA. However, any other vector may be used as long as it is replicable, or integrative or viable in the plant cell.

The regulatory element and terminator may be of any suitable type and may be endogenous to the target plant cell or may be exogenous, provided that they are functional in the target plant cell.

In another embodiment, the construct or vector may include more than one nucleic acid. The nucleic acids within the same construct or vector may have identical or differing sequences. In one preferred embodiment, the construct or vector has at least two nucleic acids encoding functionally similar enzymes.

Preferably one of the regulatory elements is a promoter. A variety of promoters which may be employed in the vectors of the present invention are well known to those skilled in the art. Factors influencing the choice of promoter include the desired tissue specificity of the vector, and whether constitutive or inducible expression is desired and the nature of the plant cell to be transformed (eg. monocotyledon or dicotyledon). Particularly suitable constitutive promoters include the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S (CaMV 35S) promoter, the maize Ubiquitin promoter, and the rice Actin promoter.

A variety of terminators which may be employed in the vectors of the present invention are also well known to those skilled in the art. It may be from the same gene as the promoter sequence or a different gene. Particularly suitable terminators are polyadenylation signals, such as the CaMV 35S polyA and other terminators from the nopaline synthase (nos) and the octopine synthase (ocs) genes.

The vector, in addition to the regulatory element, the nucleic acid of the present invention and the terminator, may include further elements necessary for expression of the nucleic acid, in different combinations, for example vector backbone, origin of replication (ori), multiple cloning sites, spacer sequences, enhancers, introns (such as the maize Ubiquitin Ubi intron), antibiotic resistance genes and other selectable marker genes (such as the neomycin phosphotransferase (npt2) gene, the hygromycin phosphotransferase (hph) gene, the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (bar or pat) gene), and reporter genes (such as green fluorescence protein (GFP), beta-glucuronidase (GUS) gene (gusA)). The vector may also contain a ribosome binding site for translation initiation. The vector may also include appropriate sequences for amplifying expression.

As an alternative to use of a selectable marker gene to provide a phenotypic trait for selection of transformed host cells, the presence of the construct vector in transformed cells may be determined by other techniques well known in the art, such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction), Southern blot hybridisation analysis, histochemical GUS assays, northern and Western blot hybridisation analyses.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various components of the construct or vector are operatively linked, so as to result in expression of said nucleic acid. Techniques for operatively linking the components of the construct or vector of the present invention are well known to those skilled in the art. Such techniques include the use of linkers, such as synthetic linkers, for example including one or more restriction enzyme sites.

The constructs and vectors of the present invention may be incorporated into a variety of plants, including monocotyledons (such as grasses from the genera Lolium, Festuca, Paspalum, Pennisetum, Panicum and other forage and turfgrasses, corn, rice, sugarcane, oat, wheat and barley) dicotyledons (such as arabidopsis, tobacco, soybean, canola, cotton, potato, chickpea, medics, white clover, red clover, subterranean clover, alfalfa, eucalyptus, poplar, hybrid aspen, and gymnosperms (pine tree)). In a preferred embodiment, the constructs and vectors are used to transform monocotyledons, preferably grass species such as ryegrasses (Lolium species) and fescues (Festuca species), even more preferably a ryegrass, most preferably perennial ryegrass, including forage- and turf-type cultivars.

Techniques for incorporating the constructs and vectors of the present invention into plant cells (for example by transduction, transfection or transformation) are well known to those skilled in the art. Such techniques include Agrobacterium mediated introduction, electroporation to tissues, cells and protoplasts, protoplast fusion, injection into reproductive organs, injection into immature embryos and high velocity projectile introduction to cells, tissues, calli, immature and mature embryos. The choice of technique will depend largely on the type of plant to be transformed.

Cells incorporating the constructs and vectors of the present invention may be selected, as described above, and then cultured in an appropriate medium to regenerate transformed plants, using techniques well known in the art. The culture conditions, such as temperature, pH and the like, will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. The resulting plants may be reproduced, either sexually or asexually, using methods well known in the art, to produce successive generations of transformed plants.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part, including, e.g. transformed with, a construct or vector of the present invention.

The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part may be from any suitable species, including monocotyledons, dicotyledons and gymnosperms. In a preferred embodiment the plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part is from a monocotyledon, preferably a grass species, more preferably a ryegrass (Lolium species) or fescue (Festuca species), even more preferably a ryegrass, most preferably perennial ryegrass, including both forage- and turf-type cultivars.

The present invention also provides a plant, plant seed or other plant part derived from a plant cell of the present invention. The present invention also provides a plant, plant seed or other plant part derived from a plant of the present invention.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of modifying fatty acid biosynthesis in a plant, said method including introducing into said plant an effective amount of a nucleic acid, construct and/or vector according to the present invention.

Using the methods and materials of the present invention the lipid content of L. perenne leaves may be increased by over expressing the transcribed region of the L. perenne DGAT1 gene in the leaf. While applicants do not wish to be restricted by theory, it is predicted that this leads to the production of TAG (containing mainly long chain unsaturated fatty acids) within the cytoplasm of these cells.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing ruminant waste urea production by feeding a ruminant a plant according to the present invention. The method according to this aspect of the present invention has the potential to reduce nitrogen losses through a non supplemental, pasture only, feed system. It is predicted that by over expressing the transcribed region of the L. perenne DGAT1 gene in L. perenne leaves leads to an increase in the C18:3 n-3 lipid content of TAG within the cytoplasm of leaf cells. It is predicted that the ingestion of these leaves reduces the microbial production of urea by one or more of the methods described above.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing ruminant methane production by feeding a ruminant a plant according to the present invention. The method according to this aspect of the present invention has the potential to reduce ruminant methane production through a non supplemental, pasture only, feed system. It is predicted that over expressing the transcribed region of the L. perenne DGAT1 gene in L. perenne leaves leads to an increase in the long chain unsaturated lipid content of TAG within the cytoplasm of leaf cells. It is predicted that the ingestion of these leaves reduces the production of methane by one or more of the methods described above.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of increasing ω3 and CLA lipid content in ruminant meat and dairy products by feeding a ruminant a plant according to the present invention. The method according to this aspect of the present invention has the potential to increase the level of ω3 and CLA lipid content in ruminant meat and dairy products through a non supplemental, pasture only, feed system. It is predicted that by over expressing the transcribed region of the L. perenne DGAT1 gene in L. perenne leaves leads to an increase in the C18:3 n-3 lipid content of TAG within the cytoplasm of leaf cells. It is predicted that the ingestion of these leaves increases the ω3 and CLA fatty acid content of meat and dairy products by one or more of the methods described above.

In a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a fatty acid modified fatty acid substantially or partially purified or isolated from a plant, plant seed or other plant part of the present invention.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a preparation for transforming a plant comprising at least one nucleic acid according to the present invention. The preparation may contain vectors or other constructs to facilitate administration to and/or transformation of the plant with the nucleic acid.

The present invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying Examples and drawings. It should be understood, however, that the description following is illustrative only and should not be taken in any way as a restriction on the generality of the invention described above.

In the Figures:

FIG. 1 shows the alignment of a translated 267 base pair Lolium perenne DGAT1 DNA fragment from genomic DNA (containing a partial sequence from exon 12 and a partial sequence from exon 13; SEQ ID No. 2) with other plant DGAT peptide sequences (SEQ ID Nos. 1 and 3-9). Accession numbers are shown in parenthesis. Grey boxes indicate conserved identical residues. Lolium perenne DGAT1 sequence is underlined and in bold.

FIG. 2 shows the phylogenetic relationship of the translated 267 base pair Lolium perenne DGAT1 sequence (containing a partial sequence from exon 12 and a partial sequence from exon 13) to other translated plant DGAT1 sequences. Accession numbers are shown in parenthesis.

FIG. 3 shows a Southern Blot of Lolium perenne mapping population probed with the Lolium perenne DGAT1 267 base pair genomic fragment. Arrow indicates hybridised band.

FIG. 4 shows a nylon membrane spotted with the Lolium perenne BAC library probed with the Lolium perenne DGAT1 267 base pair genomic fragment. Each arrow indicates a pair of duplicate hybridized BACs containing Lolium perenne genomic DNA.

FIG. 5 shows an ethidium bromide stained agarose gel containing PCR products using isolated BACs (reputedly containing Lolium perenne DGAT genomic DNA) as template. The primers were the same primers used to amplify the original Lolium perenne DGAT1 267 base pair genomic fragment; the positive control was a clone of the 267 bp genomic fragment. Arrows indicate products of the predicted size found in the lane containing product from the positive control and from the lane containing product from the BAC clone 72-12C.

FIG. 6 shows a Southern Blot of Lolium perenne BAC clone 72-12C probed with the Lolium perenne DGAT1 267 base pair genomic fragment. Arrow indicates lane loaded with clone 72-12C showing a strong hybridising band.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic comparison of the transcribed regions from the Oryza sativa (rice) putative DGAT1 gene and the Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 genes. Exon and intron lengths are drawn to scale.

FIG. 8 shows the Lolium perenne DGAT1 genomic sequence from exons 10 through to exon 15 (SEQ ID Nos. 10-13). Predicted exon sequences and corresponding translated sequences are boxed in grey; the 3′ UTR is underlined; and the poly-A signal sequence is shown in bold.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic comparison of the transcribed regions from the Lolium perenne (ryegrass) putative DGAT1 gene (containing complete sequence from exon 10 through to exon 15) the Oryza sativa (rice) putative DGAT1 gene and the Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 gene. Exon and intron lengths are drawn to scale.

FIG. 10 shows the alignment of the translated Lolium perenne DGAT1 genomic fragment (containing complete sequence from exon 10 through to exon 15) with other plant DGAT1 peptide sequences (SEQ ID Nos. 14-22). Accession numbers are shown in parenthesis. Grey boxes indicate conserved identical residues. Lolium perenne DGAT1 sequence is underlined and in bold.

FIG. 11 shows the phylogenetic relationship of the translated Lolium perenne DGAT1 genomic sequence (containing complete sequence from exon 10 through to exon 15) to other translated plant DGAT1 sequences. Accession numbers are shown in parenthesis.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of the of Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 cDNA open reading frame (black curved arrow) cloned into pENTR-D.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic representation of the of Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 transcribed genomic region (black curved arrow) cloned into pENTR-D.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic representation of the of Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 cDNA open reading frame cloned into pRS12.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic representation of the of Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 transcribed genomic region cloned into pRS12.

FIG. 16 shows the average Lolium perenne dry matter intake for lambs infused with supplementary lipid in feeding Trial 1. (Effect of dietary lipid on Lolium perenne DM intake/day in sheep).

EXAMPLES 1. Cloning L. perenne (Impact) DGAT

Prediction of Intron/Exon Boundaries for PCR Primer Design

The full length sequence of the DGAT1 transcribed and coding regions are published for Arabidopsis thaliana. Assuming conserved intron/exon splice sites between all plant DGAT genes we designed degenerate primers to rice and oat incomplete cDNA sequences (accession numbers D43212 and AL505251 respectively) that showed homology to Arabidopsis DGAT1 (DGAT-1-NR:22-23). PCR primers were as follows.

Top primer I (SEQ ID No. 23) 5′ AGG AAG TTG CTG TYT TKR TAT CAT T 3′ Top primer II (SEQ ID No. 24) 5′ TGT WTC TGC YGT RCT CCA TGA G 3′ Bottom primer I (SEQ ID No. 25) 5′ CTA AGA ATG CCC AGA ACT TGA G 3′

PCR Amplification and Sequencing of L. perenne DGAT Genomic Fragment

Optimisation of magnesium concentration, annealing temperature, template concentration and primer concentration was performed on L. perenne (Impact) genomic DNA (DGAT-1-NR:25-41). PCR products were gel purified and sequenced directly from both ends using the relevant PCR primers (DGAT-1-NR:45-53). The 267 bp sequence between top primer I and bottom primer I (not including primer sequence) was as follows:

Based on the splice sites predicted for Arabidopsis thaliana we predicted the following: 5′ underlined sequence indicates likely exon 12 sequence, grey block indicates likely intron 12, 3′ double underlined sequence indicates likely exon 13 sequence.

Spliced the mRNA fragment would have the following nucleotide sequence:

(SEQ ID No. 27) 5′ TGTATCTGCCGTGCTCCATGAG TTATGTGTTGCTGTCCCCTG CCGAATT 3′

5′ underlined sequence indicates likely exon 13 sequence, 3′ double underlined sequence indicates likely exon 14 sequence.

Translated in the forward direction using frame two this sequence would encode for the peptide fragment which is shown in grey below the predicted codons:

The homology of translated L. perenne DGAT1 fragment was compared to other DGAT1 sequences, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (SEQ ID Nos. 1-9).

Identification of L. perenne DGAT BAC

The Lolium perenne DGAT1 267 base pair genomic fragment described above was PCR amplified from L. perenne (Impact) genomic DNA and was T/A TOPO cloned into pCR2.1 (Invitrogen) using the manufacturers protocols. PCR amplification was performed using the following primers:

Top primer  5′ TGT ATC TGC CGT GCT CCA 3′ (SEQ ID No. 28) Bottom primer 5′ AAT TCG GCA GGG GAC AGC 3′ (SEQ ID No. 29)

-   -   This fragment was radiolabelled with ³²P-dCTP using random         primers as per Amersham Biosciences Rediprime™ II Random Prime         Labelling System.

The probe was tested against Lolium perenne genomic DNA cut with Hind III, all lanes showed the presence of a single hybridizing band indicating the presence of a single copy of the 267 bp DGAT1 genomic fragment, as shown in FIG. 3.

The same fragment was then used to probe a nylon membrane ryegrass pBeloBAC11 library using standard methods detailed in Ausubel et al., (2001).

Three clones hybridised to the probe, two are shown in FIG. 4. Clones were recovered from 384 well plates.

Identified BACs were isloated from E. coli using alkaline lysis/PEG precipitation plasmid miniprep after overnight growth of cultures containing the selected BACs.

-   -   Isolated BACs were confirmed by both PCR and by Southern blot         (FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively). One BAC, labelled 72-12C, produced         a PCR product of the correct size and hybridised to the probe.

Shotgun Cloning, TEMPLIPHI™ Amplification, Sequencing and Assembly of L. perenne BAC Clone 72-12C.

High quality Lolium perenne BAC clone 72-12C DNA was obtained using a Qiagen Large Construct Kit according to the manufacturers protocols. The DNA was sheared from approximately 140 kg into 1-2 kb fragments using an Invitrogen nebuliser according to the manufacturers protocols. Klenow (Invitrogen) was used to blunt end the fragments and cloned into pCR4Blunt-TOPO® Shotgun Subcloning Kit (Invitrogen) according to the manufacturers protocols. These were then transformed into E. coli grown on plates then individually picked and transferred to individual wells in 384 well plates.

A Beckman Coulter Biomek 2000 was used to transfer a sub sample of each colony to 384 well plates. The Biomek 2000 was also used to subsequently dilute the samples and directly amplify using Amersham TEmPLIPHI™ (Amersham Biosciences). Each amplification product was sequenced directly using both the T7 and T3 primers. Sequencing was performed using the ABI 3100 Genetic Analyser fitted with a 50 cm array. Sequences were assembled into contigs using PHRED.

We predicted the structure and sequence of the Oryza sativa DGAT1 gene using the Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 gene structure as a model. A combination of NetGene2 (http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/services/NetGen2/), the Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 cDNA and the translated cDNA were used to predict intron/exon boundaries for genomic Arabidopsis thaliana DNA. Translated Arabidopsis thaliana exon sequences were used to run BLAST. searches (protein-nucleic acid) against Oryza sativa genomic DNA. The region containing the Oryza sativa DGAT1 gene sequence was identified. SplicePredictor (http://bioinformatics.iastate.edu/cgi-bin/sp.cgi) and translated sequences from all three reading frames was used to predict intron/exon boundaries for the Oryza sativa genomic DGAT1 sequence of the relevant Oryza sativa genomic DNA sequence. A schematic comparison of the putative Oryza sativa DGAT1 gene structure was made with the DGAT1 gene structure from Arabidopsis thaliana (FIG. 7).

We used individual translated exons from the predicted rice DGAT1 gene to BLAST search the ryegrass BAC contig sequences. We identified one contig containing a significant portion of the corresponding putative ryegrass gene. This contig contains a fragment of intron 10 through to exon 15 and the 3′ untranslated region.

Amplification and Cloning of L. perenne DGAT1 Exon10 and Intron 10 from L. perenne BAC Clone 72-12C.

The Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 gene sequence and our predicted Oryza sativa DGAT1 gene sequence were used to design a degenerate forward primer to exon 10 of both genes (DGAT-2-NR:32). The degenerate exon 10 PCR primer was as follows.

Exon 10 degenerate top primer.

5′ TAY TGG AGA ATG TGG AAT ATG 3′ (SEQ ID No. 30)

The BAC plasmid clone 72-12C was used as a PCR template with the Exon 11 top primer and a reverse primer designed to the ryegrass DGAT1 predicted Exon 11 sequence. The sequence of this primer was as follows:

Ryegrass DGAT1 Exon 11 reverse primer

5′ CGA ACA ACC CAT TTA TGC ACA 3′ (SEQ ID No. 31)

This produced a 378 bp product which was TA-TOPO cloned into pCR2.1 (Invitrogen) according to the manufacturers protocols. The clone was sequenced and found to contain the following sequence.

The predicted intron boundaries are underlined, the primer sequences are shown in grey boxes; the 5′ sequence of putative exon 11 (not included in the reverse primer sequence) is double underlined.

Comparison of L. perenne, O. sativa and A. thaliana DGAT genes

The Lolium perenne DGAT1 contig (containing sequence from intron 10 through to exon 15) was combined with the sequence from the 378 bp PCR fragment obtained using degenerate exon 10 primer and the Lolium perenne DGAT1 exon 11 reverse primer. The predicted intron/enxon boundaries and predicted translated sequence were determined by comparison of the Lolium perenne DGAT1 genomic sequence with the Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 genomic sequence and our predicted Oryza sativa DGAT1 genomic sequence. The Lolium perenne DGAT1 genomic sequence and its predicted intron/exon boundaries as well as theoretical translated sequence are shown in FIG. 8 (SEQ ID Nos. 10-13).

A schematic comparison of the predicted Lolium perenne, putative Oryza sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 gene structures is shown in FIG. 9. The predicted splice sites correspond with those of the Oryza sativa gene. This includes the predicted fused exons resulting in one less exon and intron than the Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 gene.

The predicted cDNA sequence and translated sequence of the Lolium perenne DGAT1 gene (exon 10 through to exon 15) is as follows:

The predicted coding sequence and underlying translated peptide sequences are shaded grey. The predicted 3′UTR is underlined and the predicted polyadenylation signal sequence is shown in bold.

The putative Lolium perenne DGAT1 translated peptide sequence, encoded by exon 10 through to exon 15 from is:

(SEQ ID No. 15) YWRMWNMPVHKWVVRHIYFPPRRSGISKEVAVFVSFFVSAVLHELCVAV PCRIVKFWAFLGIMLQIPLIILTSYLKSKFRDTMAGNMIFWFFFCIYGQ PMCVLLYYHDVMNRIGKTG*

The predicted Lolium perenne DGAT1 translated sequence was compared to DGAT peptide sequences from other plants (FIG. 10; SEQ ID Nos. 14-22). The phylogenetic analysis identified a Glade containing only monocotyledon sequences, including Oryza sativa (FIG. 11).

cDNA Cloning

Total RNA from Lolium perenne 4 day old seedlings was extracted using a Qiagen RNeasy kit as per the manufacturers protocols. This was primed with random primers and reverse transcribed using a Thermoscript Reverse Transcription kit (Invitrogen) as per the manufacturers protocols. An aliquot of the cDNA was used as a PCR template in combination with the following primers: predicted Exon 11 top primer and the predicted Exon 15 reverse primer. The sequence of these primers was as follows:

Ryegrass DGAT1 Exon 11 forward primer

5′ CAG GCG CAG TGG TAT ATC A 3′ (SEQ ID No. 34)

Ryegrass DGAT1 Exon 15 reverse primer

5′ TGG TAG TAC AGG AGA ACG C 3′ (SEQ ID No. 35)

This produced a 258 bp product which was TA-TOPO cloned into pCR2.1 (Invitrogen) according to the manufacturers protocols. The clone was sequenced and found to contain the following sequence (translated peptide sequence is shown in grey):

The predicted Lolium perenne DGAT1 cDNA sequence (top sequence) derived from the genomic sequence aligns exactly (vertical bars) with the cloned cDNA Lolium perenne DGAT1 fragment (bottom sequence) as follows:

The predicted Lolium perenne DGAT1 peptide sequence translated from the genomic sequence (top sequence) aligns exactly (vertical bars) with the predicted peptide sequence transcribed from the cloned cDNA Lolium perenne DGAT1 fragment (bottom sequence) as follows:

2. Over Expressing Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 in Lotus japonicus Roots

Sub-Cloning Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 cDNA and Cloning Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 Genomic Transcribed Region.

GATEWAY™ (Invitrogen) compatible primers were designed to generate GATEWAY™ compatible clones containing either the open reading frame of the Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 cDNA or the full length transcribed region of the A. thaliana DGAT1 gene.

Gateway compatible additional bases are boxed in grey. Nucleotides encoding for a methionine residue (corresponding to the translational start site) is underlined and bold faced.

Arabidopsis thaliana bottom primer  5′ TCA  TGA CAT CGA TCC TTT TCG 3′ (SEQ ID No. 40) Theoretical Tm = 60° C.

Nucleotides encoding a termination codon (corresponding to the end of the coding sequence) are underlined and bold faced.

These primers were used to engineer the transcripts to be GATEWAY™ (Invitrogen) compatible using standard PCR and cloning techniques. Briefly, the Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 cDNA was amplified from an existing cDNA clone (AtFLAGDGAT-pYeDP60) in the plasmid pYeDP60 (Pieret et al., 2001). The full length transcribed region of the Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 gene was amplified from an existing genomic Arabidopsis thaliana (ecotype Columbia) DGAT1 complete gene (Lipids-3-AT:50) in the plasmid pCR2.1 (Invitrogen).

The cDNA and genomic clones were amplified with the proof reading enzyme TripleMaster (Eppendorf) as per the manufacturers protocols. This enzyme produces a mixture of PCR products; some blunt ended fragments and some with Adenosine overhangs. Since pENTR-D (Invitrogen) cloning requires blunt ended inserts, 1 μl of T4 DNA polymerase was added to 10 μl of PCR product and left at 25° C. for 20 minutes then at 72° C. for 10 minutes to heat inactivate the protein.

The PCR amplification products were cloned into pENTR-D (Invitrogen) using the reactions outlined in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Component Cloning rxn 1 Cloning rxn 2 Control rxn PCR product 0.5 μl of Genomic 0.5 μl of DGAT — DGAT DNA cDNA Salt 0.5 μl 0.5 μl 0.5 μl pENTR-D 0.5 μl 0.5 μl 0.5 μl vector Sterile water 0.5 μl 0.5 2.0 μl

These reactions were left at room temp for 5 mins then transferred to ice.

Transformation of dH5α TOPO TOP 10 (Invitrogen) Cells by Heat Shock

Thawed 2 vials of cells on ice for ≈20 minutes

Added 2 μl of each cloning reaction to tubes of cell suspension

Mixed by gentle tapping and incubated on ice for 30 minutes.

Heat shocked cells for 30 seconds at 42° C. without shaking

Immediately transferred the cells to ice

Added 250 μl of room temperature SOC medium

Incubated cultures horizontally, shaking (220 rpm) at 37° C. for 1 hour

Plate cells onto LB-kanomycin plates (25 μl, 200 μl, & the rest)

Grew plates overnight in a 37° C. incubator

The next day colonies from the transformant plates were picked with toothpicks into 10 ml LB-kanomycin broths.

The plasmid DNA was extracted using the alkaline lysis method and sequenced (Sequences of the complete clones are shown in Appendicies I and II) (SEQ ID Nos. 41 and 42).

GATEWAY™ (Invitrogen) LR Reactions to Clone Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 from pENTR-D into pRS12 Plant Binary Vector.

LR reactions were set up as outlined in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Component LR rxn 1 LR rxn 2 Entry clone 0.2 μl of Genomic 0.5 μl of DGAT cDNA (400 ng) DGAT DNA in in pENTR-D pENTR-D (400 ng) pRS12 binary 0.2 μl (300 ng) 0.2 μl (300 ng) vector LR rxn mix 1 μl 1 μl LR rxn buffer 1 μl 1 μl Topo isomerase 0.25 μl 0.25 μl Sterile water 2.35 μl 2.05 μl

These reactions were incubated at 25° C. overnight.

The next day the whole 5 μl LR reactions were used to transform dH5α TOPO TOP 10 cells (Invitrogen) by heat shock as above. Cultures were plated on

LB-spectomycin plates, transformants were picked and plasmid DNA was extracted using the alkaline lysis method.

The plasmid DNA was extracted using the alkaline lysis method and sequenced (sequences of the complete clones are shown in Appendices III and IV) (SEQ ID Nos. 43 and 44).

This plasmid DNA was then used to transform Agrobacterium Rhizogenes.

Transformation of Agrobacterium rhizogenes (A4T)

1. Streak a TY agar plate with Agrobacterium rhizogenes (A4T) glycerol stock and grow 28° C. overnight.

2. Innoculate 50 ml of YEB broth with a colony from Agrobacterium plate and grow at 28° C., shaking (220 rpm) until OD₆₀₀ is approx 0.5 (16 hrs)

3. Centrifuge cells for 15 mins @ 4000 rpm, discard supernatant and resuspend in 10 ml of 0.15 M NaCl

4. Centrifuge cells for 10 mins @ 4000 rpm, discard supernatant, and resuspend in 1 mL of ice-cold 20 mM CaCl₂

5. Aliquot 200 μL of cells into an eppendorf tube, add 5 μg of DNA and incubate on ice for 30 mins.

6. With what is left of the 1 ml aliquot 186 μL of cells and 14 μL of DMSO into eppendorf tubes and freeze in liquid N₂ then store at −70° C.

7. After incubation on ice for 30 mins freeze the DNA/cells in liquid N₂ for 1 min.

8. Thaw in a 37° C. waterbath

9. Repeat steps 7 & 8 10. Add 1 ml of YEB broth and incubate cells for 4 hours @ 28° C. with gentle shaking

11. Plate cells on TY agar containing spectomycin and grow for 2 days @ 28° C.

Pick colonies from the Agrobacterium plates into 10 ml TY broths containing spectomycin and grow for 2 days @ 28° C., shaking at 220 rpm.

0.15M NaCl

0.375 μL 4M NaCl

9.625 mL H₂0

20 mM CaCl₂

0.029 g CaCl₂.2H₂O

in 10 ml H₂O

Transformation of Lotus japonicus with Agrobacterium rhizogenes (A4T)

Day 1.

1. Scarify Lotus japonicus seeds using p220 wet/dry sand paper

2. Sterilise seeds by rotating for 20 mins in 10 ml sterilisation soin:

-   -   7 ml 100% ethanol     -   1 ml 30% H₂0₂     -   2 ml H₂0

3. Wash 3 times in sterile H₂O

4. Place seeds on 1% water agar plates

5. Wrap plates in tinfoil (dark) and germinate at 25° C. for 2 days

6. Streak TY agar plate with Agrobacterium rhizogenes (A4T) glycerol stock and grow overnight @ 28° C.

Day 2.

-   -   1. Inoculate 50 ml YEB culture broth with colony from A4T plate         and grow overnight @ 28° C. shaking (220 rpm)

Day 3.

1. Make Agrobacterium competent cells and transform with binary plasmid containing gene of interest, plate on TY agar plates and grow for 2 days at 28° C. (refer: Transformation of Agrobacerium)

2. Transfer germinated seeds to ½ B5 media, approx 10 across each plate, roots pointing down. Tape plates together, grow vertically on lab bench.

½ B5 media (No sucrose) NaH₂PO₄•2H₂0 0.0425 g KN0₃ 0.625 g NH₄₂S0₄ 0.0335 g MgS0₄•2H₂0 0.0625 g Ferric EDTA 0.01 g Myo-Inositol 0.025 g Stock A 0.25 mL Stock B 0.25 mL Stock C 0.25 mL Stock D 0.25 mL Adjust pH to 5.5 with 0.2M KOH or 0.2M HCl Agar 6 g Make up to 500 mL with sterile H₂0

Day 5

Pick colonies from Agrobacterium plates into 10 ml TY-spectomycin broths and grow at 28° C. shaking (220 rpm) for 2 days.

Day 6.

Perform PCR on Agrobacterium broths to check for desired gene. Dav 7.

Inoculate Lotus japonicus plants by dipping a sterile scalpel into the Agrobacterium broth and cutting off the root. After inoculation tape plates together, wrap in tinfoil and leave overnight on lab bench

Day 8.

Unwrap plates and grow for 2 days vertically on lab bench Day 9.

Transfer plants to MS (CRO) media containing the antibiotic cephotaximine, 10 across a plate. Grow vertically on lab bench.

Roots can be viewed (for GFP) under a Microscope 10-20 days later.

MS/CRO media MS Macro Stock 50 ml/L MS Fe (EDTA) Stock 5 ml/L B5B Vitamins stock 1 ml/L Sucrose 30 g/L Myo-Inositol 100 mg/L Phytagel agar 8 g/L pH to 5.7 with NaOH MS Macro Stock NH₄NO₃  33 g/900 ml KNO₃  38 g/900 ml CaCl₂•2H₂O 8.8 g/900 ml KH₂PO₄ 3.4 g/900 ml MgSO₄•7H₂O 7.4 g/900 ml MS Micro stock 100 ml 1000 ml MS Fe (EDTA) Stock Ferric EDTA (Ethylene diaminetetra   4 g/500 ml acetic acid Fe Na EDTA) MS Micro Stock H3BO3 1.24 g/L MnSO4•4H20 4.46 g/L ZnSO4•7H20 1.72 g/L KI 0.166 g/L Na2MoO4•2H20 0.05 g/L CuSO4•5H20 0.005 g/L CoCl2•6H20 0.005 g/L 1000 ml B5B Vitamin Stock Nicotinic Acid 0.1 g/100 ml Thiamine HCl 1.0 g/100 ml Pyridoxine HCl 0.1 g/100 ml 1 ml aliquots into eppendorfs (Store in freezer)

Analysis of Lotus japonicus Roots Over Expressing Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 by Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Gas Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry (FAMEs GC-MS)

FAMEs Extraction Procedure:

Place frozen plant material (˜50 mg fresh weight) in a 13×100 mm screw-capped tube and add the first internal standard (10 μL of 4 mg/mL 15:0 dissolved in heptane).

Add methanolic HCl reagent (1 mL of 3 M solution diluted to 1 M with dry methanol that has 2,2-dimethoxypropane (5%) as a water scavenger).

Purge the tube with nitrogen, seal with a Teflon-lined cap and heat at 80° C. for 1 hour.

Cool the tube; and add the premethylated standard (10 μL of 4 mg/mL 17:0 dissolved in heptane).

Add heptane (0.6 mL) and NaCl (1 mL, 0.9%) and shake vigorously to extract the FAMEs into the heptane.

Centrifuge (1000 g×30 sec) to break any emulsion and completely separate the phases.

Remove heptane layer and store in GC vials in a −4° C. freezer.

Using a syringe, inject the heptane layer (100 μL) into a separate vial containing a 250 μL glass insert (allows the GC/MS to analyse small volumes of samples).

Inject the phenol standard (3 μL of 2 mg/mL) into the vial before GC/MS analysis.

GC-MS Analysis.

Shimadzu GC/MS QP-2010 EI with AOC-20i Autoinjector

Column (0.25 μm 50 m×0.22 mm I.D. BPX70).

Auto injector:

-   -   Rinse with solvent×6     -   Rinse with sample×2     -   Plunger speed (suction) high     -   Viscosity Comp. time 0.2 sec     -   Plunger speed (injection) high     -   Syringe insertion speed high     -   Inject 1 uL     -   Injection mode Split (20:1)     -   Carrier Gas He2 (pressure 150 kPa, flow rate 40 ml/min)     -   Column oven temp 80° C. (2 min)—[15° C./min]—150° C. (0 min)—[8°         C./min]—250° C. (10 min)     -   MS ion source 200° C.     -   Interface temp 260° C.     -   Start time 6 min     -   End time 29 min     -   Acquisition mode scan     -   Interval 0.5 sec     -   Scan speed 625     -   Start m/z 50.00     -   End m/z 350.00

Lipid Results from Transformed Lotus japonicus Hairy Roots.

The Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 cDNA (under the control of the CaMV35s promoter in pRS12) was transformed into Lotus japonicus roots as described. Similarly, The Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 complete transcribed region of the genomic sequence (under the control of the CaMV35s promoter in pRS12) was transformed into Lotus japonicus roots as described. Approximately 15 independent hairy root phenotypes were generated for each construct; these were analysed for GFP expression and the highest GFP expressers were subcultured and grown in liquid media. After approximately 12 weeks growth samples of roots were ground in liquid nitrogen. From this, duplicate samples of each transformant were analysed by GC-MS. The results are presented in Table 3. Within each transformant type the clones are arranged in ascending order of total lipid content.

TABLE 3 Total lipid content % % % % % Transformant of root C16:0 C18:0 C18:1 C18:2 C18:3 type and (mg/g of total of total of total of total of total number DM) lipids lipds lipds lipds lipds A4T control 4.03 30.30 1.88 0.74 57.53 9.55 Transgenic 1 A4T control 4.58 29.84 1.55 0.87 54.66 13.08 Transgenic 3 A4T control 5.24 27.98 1.46 0.81 56.73 13.02 Transgenic 2 A4T control 5.33 27.83 1.79 0.90 57.34 12.15 Transgenic 4 DGAT1 7.89 22.59 0.39 0.80 55.64 20.59 cDNA Transgenic 4 DGAT1 8.27 23.14 1.93 0.94 57.07 16.93 cDNA Transgenic 3 DGAT1 8.75 22.67 1.56 1.25 58.17 16.36 cDNA Transgenic 7 DGAT1 9.21 21.12 1.15 1.99 59.52 16.23 cDNA Transgenic 6 DGAT1 10.04 26.53 1.10 0.66 54.01 17.70 cDNA Transgenic 10 DGAT1 12.30 21.78 1.47 2.99 56.27 17.50 cDNA Transgenic 1 DGAT1 12.37 23.26 2.13 1.77 49.29 23.56 cDNA Transgenic 8 DGAT1 12.44 20.50 1.23 1.18 60.61 16.48 cDNA Transgenic 2 DGAT1 12.87 22.22 1.40 1.65 59.16 15.56 cDNA Transgenic 5 DGAT1 13.02 19.71 2.05 2.55 47.20 28.50 cDNA Transgenic 9 DGAT1 7.78 25.75 2.11 1.06 54.30 16.78 genomic DNA Transgenic 1 DGAT1 7.94 23.38 0.34 0.00 57.81 18.47 genomic DNA Transgenic 5 DGAT1 8.49 25.70 0.65 0.00 50.26 23.39 genomic DNA Transgenic 6 DGAT1 9.75 24.29 1.30 0.13 54.82 19.46 genomic DNA Transgenic 3 DGAT1 10.88 22.14 1.77 4.08 43.13 28.89 genomic DNA Transgenic 2 DGAT1 11.40 23.37 1.46 1.10 48.18 25.89 genomic DNA Transgenic 7 DGAT1 11.79 19.64 1.19 1.66 44.88 32.63 genomic DNA Transgenic 4

3. Transformation of Lolium perenne by Microprojectile Bombardment of Embryogenic Callus

Protocol adapted from Altpeter et al 2000, Molecular Breeding 6.

Materials

TABLE 4 florally induced tillers of Lolium perenne Na-hypochlorite (5% available chlorine) sterile ddH₂O 100 mm Petri plates containing LP5 medium* 100 mm Petri plates containing LP3-OS medium 100 mm Petri plates containing LP3 medium 100 mm Petri plates containing LP3 medium + 200 mg/L Hygromycin (Hm) 100 mm Petri plates containing MSK medium + 200 mg/L Hm 250 ml culture vessels containing MSO medium + 200 mg/L Hygromycin stock solution (50 mg/ml in PDS, sterile)

Procedure

Harvest and surface sterilise floral tillers of Lolium perenne in 5% available chlorine Na-hypochlorite for 15 minutes using a Mason jar (or equivalent) under constant agitation.

Rinse tillers with autoclaved ddH₂O.

Aseptically dissect floral meristems.

Culture meristems on callus induction medium LP5 (16-20 explants per plate) and incubate in the dark for four to six weeks.

On the day of transformation transfer embryogenic callus material to high osmotic medium LP3-OS. Arrange approximately 4 cm² of calli in the centre of the Petri dish.

Incubate calli for 4-6 hours at room temperature.

Prepare particles and perform biolistic transformation following the protocol: “Biolistic Transformation of Lolium perenne with the Bio-Rad Particle Delivery System (PDS)”. Plasmids are co-transformed. One plasmid (pACH1) contains the hygromycin phosphotransferase gene conferring resistance to the antibiotic hygromycin expressed from the rice actin promoter and the second plasmid contains the genetic construct of interest for transformation. Plasmids are mixed in a one to one ratio at 1 μg/μLand simultaneously coated onto the microcarriers.

Incubate bombarded calli on high osmotic medium LP3-OS for an additional 12-16 hours (overnight) at 25° C. in the dark.

Transfer bombarded calli to LP3 medium and incubate for 48 hours at 25° C. in the dark

Plate calli on selection medium (LP3+200 mg/l Hygromycin (Hm)). Incubate at 25° C. in the dark on selection medium for two weeks.

Transfer all Hm-resistant callus material to regeneration medium MSK+200 mg/l Hm and incubate for four weeks at 25° C. under a 16 hour photoperiod.

Transfer developed shoots to MSO+200 mg/l Hm and incubate for another two to four weeks at 25° C. under 16 hour photoperiod.

Screen by PCR Hm-resistant plants growing on MSO+200 mg/L Hm.

Microprojectile Bombardment of Lolium perenne with the Bio-Rad Particle Delivery System (PDS-1000/He)

Taken from the PDS-100/He manual. These procedures were developed by Sanford et al., (1992).

Materials and Solutions

TABLE 5 Bio-Rad Biolistic ® PDS-1000/He Particle Delivery System Rupture disks (900 PSI) Macrocarriers Macrocarrier holders Microcarriers (1.0 μm) Stopping screens Autoclaved 1.5 ml eppendorf tubes Micropipette tips Vortex and microfuge Torque wrench tool Pen vac 70% Ethanol Absolute Ethanol 2.5 M CaCl₂ 100 mM Spermidine

(A) Microcarrier Preparation

For 120 bombardments using 500 μg per bombardment.

1. In a 1.5 ml microfuge tube, weigh out 60 mg of microparticles.

2. Add 1 ml of 70% ethanol, freshly prepared.

3. Vortex on a platform vortexer for 3-5 minutes.

4. Incubate for 15 minutes.

5. Pellet the microparticles by spinning for 5 seconds in a microfuge.

6. Remove the liquid and discard.

7. Repeat the following steps three times:

-   -   a. Add 1 ml of sterile water     -   b. Vortex for 1 minute     -   c. Allow the particles to settle for 1 minute     -   d. Pellet the microparticles by spinning for 2 seconds in a         microfuge.     -   e. Remove the liquid and discard.

8. Add sterile 50% glycerol to bring the microparticle concentration to 60 mg/ml (assume no loss during preparation).

9. Store the microparticles at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

(B) Coating DNA onto Microcarriers

The following procedure is sufficient for six bombardments; if fewer bombardments are needed, prepare enough microcarriers for three bombardments by reducing all volumes by one half. When removing aliquots of microcarriers, it is important to vortex the tube containing the microcarriers continuously in order to maximise uniform sampling.

1. Vortex the microcarriers prepared in 50% glycerol (60 mg/ml) for 5 minutes on a platform vortexer to resuspend and disrupt agglomerated particles.

2. Remove 50 μl (3 mg) of microcarriers to a 1.5 ml microfuge tube.

3. While vortexing vigorously, add in order:

-   -   5 μl DNA (1 μg/μl)

50 μl CaCl₂ (2.5 M)

20 μl spermidine (0.1 M)

4. Continue vortexing for 2-3 minutes

5. Allow the microcarriers to settle for 1 minute

6. Pellet the microcarriers by spinning for 2 seconds in a microfuge

7. Remove the liquid and discard

8. Add 140 μl of 70% ethanol without disturbing the pellet

9. Remove the liquid and discard

10. Add 140 μl of 100% ethanol without disturbing the pellet

11. Remove the liquid and discard

12. Add 48 μl of 100% ethanol

13. Gently resuspend the pellet by tapping the side of the tube several times, and then by vortexing at low speed for 2-3 seconds

14. Remove six 6 μl aliquots of microcarriers and transfer them to the centre of a macrocarrier. An effort is made to remove equal amounts (500 μg) of microcarriers each time and to spread them evenly over the central 1 cm of the macrocarrier using the pipette tip. Desiccate immediately.

C) Bombardment Procedure

Open valve of helium cylinder

Adjust helium regulator by turning the helium pressure regulator to 200 PSI above chosen rupture disk (e.g. if a 900 PSI rupture disk will be used, the working pressure has to be adjusted to 1100 PSI)

Turn on vacuum pump

Place 900 psi rupture disk in the rupture disk-retaining cap. Screw on and tighten retaining cap.

Place macrocarriers in sterile macrocarrier holder

Place stop screen and macrocarrier holder in the launch assembly, tighten screw lid and place below rupture disk-retaining cap. Launch assembly should be set to a Gap distance of !/4 inch and macrocarrier travel distance of 11 mm.

Place tissue sample at a target distance of 90 mm.

Turn on main switch of PDS

Apply vacuum to 27 inches of Hg

Hold vacuum and press “fire” button until shot is performed (automatic)

Release “fire” button and vent chamber

After shooting close valve of helium cylinder and loosen pressure valve

TABLE 6 Compositions of the media used Media component LP3 LP5 LP3-OS MSK MS0 Macro elements (mg/l final concentration) KNO₃ 1900 1900 1900 1900 1900 NH₄NO₃ 1650 1650 1650 1650 1650 CaCl₂ × 2H₂O 440 440 440 440 440 MgSO₄ × 2H₂OKH₂PO₄ 370 370 370 370 370 KCl 170 170 170 170 170 Micro elements (mg/l final concentration) Na₂EDTA 37.3 37.3 37.3 37.3 37.3 FeSO₄ × 7H₂O 27.8 27.8 27.8 27.8 27.8 H₃BO₃ 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.2 KI 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.83 MnSO₄ × H₂O 16.9 16.9 16.9 16.9 16.9 ZnSO₄ × 7H₂O 8.6 8.6 8.6 8.6 8.6 CuSO₄ × 5H₂O 0.025 0.025 0.025 0.025 0.025 Na₂MoO₄ × 2H₂O 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 CoCl₂ × 6H₂O 0.025 0.025 0.025 0.025 0.025 Carbohydrates (g/l final concentration) Maltose 30 30 30 30 30 D-Mannitol 64 Hormones (mg/l final concentration) 2,4-D 3.0 5.0 3.0 Kinetin 0.2 Vitamins (mg/l final concentration) Pyridoxine HCl 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Thiamine HCl 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Nicotinic acid 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Myo-Inositol 100 100 100 100 Other organics (mg/l final concentration) Glycine 2 2 2 2 2

Culture Media

Weights and volumes required of each individual ingredient are specified in Table 6. Adjust media pH to 5.8 with KOH. The addition of a solidifying agent is required. Use agarose (for LP3, LP5 and LP3-OS) and 0.8% (w/v) Agar for MSO and MSK prior to sterilising. Media LP3, LP5 and MSK are modified from Murashige and Skoog (1962).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described above is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, compositions and products referred to or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of two or more of said steps or features.

4. Reducing Ruminant Methane Production by Feeding a Ruminant Plants Over Expressing DGAT1 in the Leaf.

Elevated levels of dietary lipids was correlated with reduced methane output in ruminants (Holter and Young, 1992; Johnson et al., 2002; Dohme et al., 2001; Fievez et al., 2003; Machmuller et al., 2003; Jalc et al., 2002; Jalc and Ceresnakova, 2001; Sauer et al., 1998). The single committed step in the formation of triacyiglycerides is catalysed by acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT1) which was recently cloned from Arabidopsis thaliana (Zou et al., 1999). When the A. thaliana DGAT1 cDNA was placed under the control of a constitutive promoter in tobacco, triacylglycerol accumulated as oil drops in the cytoplasm of leaf cells; plants were otherwise phenotypically unchanged (Bouvier-Nave et al., 2000). We propose that modifying the expression pattern of ryegrass DGAT1 to be expressed at high levels in the leaf would result in the generation and accumulation of TAG in the leaves of these plants. In turn this will influence the efficiency of pasture conversion by the ruminant into useful products (e.g., meat or dairy) or waste products (e.g., methane, hydrogen, urea).

Ruminants can tolerate up to 10% lipid content (on a dry matter basis) in their diet (Garnsworthy, 1997). From this maximal value we can determine how much triacylglyceride can be accumulated in ryegrass (by over expressing DGAT1 in the leaves) to reach this value. Subsequently, when animals are fed ryegrass over expressing DGAT1 in the leaves the effect on methane production can be calculated.

The maximum allowable lipid content of the DMI for ruminants is 10% (Gamsworthy 1997). The average total lipid content of forage grasses is 5% (varying from 2-6% w/w) on a dry matter basis (Weenink, 1959; Shorland, 1961; Weenink, 1961; Dewhurs and King, 1998; Elgersma et al., 2003). Hence, the maximum allowable accumulation of triacylglycerol by over expression of DGAT1 in the leaf is 5% of the dry matter.

Bouvier-Nave et al., (2000) reported in their first round of trangenics there was up to a 7 fold increase in the triacylglycerol content of transgenic tobacco by overexpressing a full length open reading frame of DGAT1. We have found that over expressing DGAT1 in the roots of Lotus japonicus led to up to a doubling of the total lipid content when compared with roots transformed with the Agrobacterium rhizogenes R1 gene alone. Combined, these results show that it should be possible to increase the lipid content of ryegrass leaves from 5% to 10% DM by over expressing DGAT1 which would lead to the accumulation of triacylglyceride.

Supplementation of ruminant feeds with plant based oils (consisting of predominantly C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2 and C18:3 in similar ratios to those we report in ryegrass) to give a total of 8-10% lipid (DM) have been reported to reduce ruminant methane production by 20 to 56% and are summarised in the Table 7.

TABLE 7 Supplemental Reduction in CH4 production oil type compared to control feed Reference Palmitic 38% Czerkaski et al., (1966) Oleic 27% Czerkaski et al., (1966) Linoleic 26% Czerkaski et al., (1966) Linolenic 33.3%   Czerkaski et al., (1966) Soybean Oil 47% Fievez et al., (2003) Canola Oil 21% Dong et al., (1997) Linoleic 19.5%   Dome et al., (2001)

The mechanism for methane reduction appears to be a combination of providing a competing sink for hydrogen (a substrate required by methanogens) as well altering the rumen methanogenic population. Combined, the results indicate that feeding ruminants ryegrass in which the expression of DGAT1 in the leaves has been upregulated (leading to the accumulation of triacylglycerol in the leaf and a total lipid content of approximately 8% DM) would lead to a 20-50% reduction in methane production.

5. Increasing Meat and Milk Production and Altering their Lipid Profile by Feeding a Ruminant Plants Over Expressing DGAT1 in the Leaf.

Casler and Vogel (1999) report an average increase of 3.2% in liveweight gain for each 1% increase in digestibility without negatively affecting forage yield and/or agronomic fitness. If we increased the lipid level by 5% we can predict the increase in energy content of the forage. Purified lipids provide 37.7 J/g, carbohydrate and protein both provide 16.7 J/g. Currently, the carbohydrate and protein constitute approximately 70 and 18% of ryegrass dry matter while lipids make up approximately 5%. An increase in lipid content to 10% would reduce the DM contribution from carbohydrate and protein combined by 5%. Hence, the total energy content would rise to would rise from approximately 16.6 J/g to 17.6 J/g DM or a 6% rise over the existing level

Lean beef and lamb are wholesome foods which provide a variety of caloric and essential fatty acids. Among the beneficial, health promoting fatty acids (FA) are conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), especially the cis-9, trans-11 isomer, trans-vaccenic acid (TVA; trans-11 C18:1), and the long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated FA (LC n-3 PUFA). CLA reduces the severity of cancer in a number of animal models exposed to a range of acute carcinogenic stimulants (Belury 1995; Kritchevsky 2000). TVA, the major precursor of CLA, is found mainly in meat and milk of ruminants (Corl et al. 2001) and dietary TVA is known to be converted to CLA in situ in mice (Santora et al. 2000) and humans (Salminen et al. 1998). The LC n-3 PUFA include eicosapentaenoic (EPA; C20:5), docosapentaenoic (DPA; C22:5), and docosahexaenoic (DHA; C22:6) acids, which can reduce the potential for coronary heart disease, cancer, and arthritis (Simopoulos 1996). Less beneficial FA include the saturated FA, especially the intermediate chain length lauric (C12:0), myristic (C14:0), and palmitic (C16:0) acids that can promote the development of atherosclerosis (Ulbricht & Southgate 1991).

Two studies were conducted to test the affects on sheep of proposed modifications to the lipid profile in ryegrass. The materials and methods, results and conclusions from these trials are reported as follows:

Trial 1

An indoor study was conducted in autumn using rumen-fistulated sheep in metabolism crates, to determine the effect of increasing lipid concentration on energy balance. Sheep were fed ad-libitum on ryegrass that had been harvested daily, and stored in a chiller at 4 deg C. A fresh allocation of feed was provided twice daily at 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. For periods of 2 hours, commencing when the morning and afternoon feed was allocated, oil was infused directly into the rumen to simulate the ingestion of ryegrass with 6 different levels of total lipid; 4% (the basal concentration of total lipid in the diet) 5.25%, 6.50%, 7.75%, 9.0% and 10.25%. The amount of oil infused to simulate the 5 nominal dietary levels was calculated based on the amount of dry matter intake sheep consumed in each preceding 24-hour period.

The fourteen sheep were allocated in pairs to 6 levels (3 sheep were used for the two highest levels) and received this level for 17 days. This was comprised of an adjustment period of 8 days followed by 10 days to determine energy balance. During this first period, sheep receiving the highest dose (10.25%) reacted adversely (stopped eating) and this treatment was discontinued. Sheep were then allowed 8 days without infusion as a treatment ‘washout period’ and reassigned to another treatment level for a further 17 days. During the second period with 5 treatment levels, 3 sheep were used for 5.25, 6.50% and 7.75%, 2 for 9.00% and 2 for the control.

The results of this study indicated that sheep tolerated up to approximately 8% total lipid in the diet without reduction in daily dry matter intake (FIG. 16). This study confirmed that a target for plant modification of 8% total lipid in the diet was feasible (from an animal health and nutrition view point).

Trial 2

The purpose of the second study was a) to confirm that the target of 8%, established with sheep indoors, would also apply for sheep at pasture and b) to derermine effects of elevated lipid concentration on liveweight gain, feed intake and the fatty acid profiles of carcass meat. For this grazing study 90 weaned lambs (approximately 14 weeks of age) were randomly allocated to 3 treatments (n=30);

control—nominal 4% total lipid in diet (i.e. the concentration in ryegrass)

medium—nominal 6% total lipid in diet

high—nominal 8% total lipid in diet.

The medium and high levels of total dietary lipid were simulated by giving the lambs an oral dose of a blend of sunflower and linseed oil twice daily for 6 weeks. The volume of oil dosed each day was calculated to raise the total concentration of dietary lipid from 4% present in ryegrass to the nominal targets of 6% and 8%, and was 28 ml/day and 56 ml/day, respectively. The control lambs were also yarded twice daily and given a dose of water (28 ml/day). The lipid profile of each diet is shown in Table 8.

TABLE 8 mg lipid/g DM intake DIET 14:0 16:0 16:1 18:0 18:1 18:2 18:3 Control 0.01 5.38 0.99 0.42 0.43 4.33 32.90 Medium 0.01 6.74 0.94 1.23 6.59 11.29 41.05 High 0.01 7.92 0.84 2.08 13.18 18.51 48.08

The study was conducted over 6 weeks during November and December. All lambs grazed together as a single group on hybrid (perenne×multiflorum) ryegrass pasture. They were offered an ad-libitum allowance and were shifted to a fresh allocation every 2 days.

Measurements were made to determine liveweight gain, and daily dry matter intake. Lambs were slaughtered at the end of the trial and carcass weight recorded and samples of meat collected for analysis of total fatty acid composition

Trial 2 Materials and Methods

Extraction, Saponification, and Methylation of Fatty Acid

Extraction of FA from the muscle was by the method described by Knight et al. (2003a) for beef. Part of the extract was used to gravimetrically determine the lipid content of the dried tissue, and the rest was used for gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) analysis. In brief the muscle samples were cut into 1 cm cubes, weighed, freeze dried, weighed again to determine the dry matter content of the meat (DM), and then finely ground. Lipids were extracted from the freeze-dried samples by a modified of the method used by Folch et al., (1957). The saponification, methylation, and analyses of FA in the extracts were based on the methods of Slover and Lanza (1979) and the American Oil Chemists Society (2001). An internal standard of 2 mg tridecanoic acid (C13:0) in 2 ml isooctane was added to 10-25 ml of the extracted lipids. Lipids were saponified using methanolic NaOH and methylated using a freshly prepared methanolic BF₃ solution. The dry isooctane solution of fatty acid methyl esters was stored in a refrigerator until analysed. The extract was blanketed with nitrogen at all steps in the procedure.

Plasma samples were extracted by the method of Caruso et al. (1991). 0.8 ml of plasma was mixed with an internal standard of 1.0 ml of a solution of 1 mg n-heneicosanoic acid (C21:0)/ml isooctane and extracted with 8 ml of methanol:chloroform. (1:1). After centrifuging at 2000 g for 5 min. the supernatant was transferred to a clean tube and washed with 4 ml chloroform and 2.4 ml water. The mixture was again centrifuged for 5 min. and, after discarding the upper aqueous layer, the lower chloroform layer was evaporated to dryness under a stream of nitrogen gas while heating to 40° C. using a dry block. Saponification, methylation, and analyses of FA in the plasma extracts were the same as for the extracts of muscle.

GLC Analysis

GLC was performed with a Hewlett Packard model 6890 equipped with a flame ionization detector and a SGE BPX70 column 120 m length, 0.25 mm ID, and 0.25 μm film thickness. 1 μl of the sample or standards was injected into the GLC with a split ratio of 50:1. Helium was used as the carrier gas at a linear velocity of 19 cm/sec or 1.2 ml/min in a constant flow mode; the starting column pressure was 45 psi. The injector temperature was 250° C. and the initial temperature on the column was 130° C. increasing at 1° C./min. to 190° C. and then 2° C./min. to 245° C. and this temperature was held for 5 min. The total run time was 95 min. Fatty acids were identified by comparing their retention time with known standards and using effective chain length calculations from data contained in technical publications for the SGE BPX 70 phase columns. The GLC analyses of the plasma extracts used a column of 30 m length, 3.2 mm internal diameter, and 0.25 μm thick with an injection volume of 1 μl.

The FA peaks identified were the same as those reported in Knight et al. (2003a) but only those FA that were present at more than 0.2 g/100 g total fatty acid (TFA) are presented in this paper. Although the FA with less than 0.2 g/100 g TFA were not presented they were included in the groups of saturated (SATFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) where appropriate. The C18:1 cft included a mixture of cis and trans isomers of C18:1 other than cis-9 C18:1 or TVA which cannot be separated, cis C18:1 includes cis isomers of other than cis-9 C18:1 and trans C18:1 includes trans isomers of C18:1 other than WA. The FA compositions for the muscle and plasma extracts are given as g per 100 g TFA.

Statistical Analysis

Data for the proportions of FA in the TFA extracted from the muscle and plasma were analysed using Analysis of Variance (GenStat 2000). Means are presented with standard errors of difference (s.e.d) for the comparison between treatments with the minimum and maximum number of lambs in the group.

Trial 2 RESULTS

Fatty Acids in Muscle

There were no effects of the twice day drenching with oil on the proportion of lipid in the raw lean meat but it did have an effect on the composition of the FA in the meat (Table 1). Compared with the control lambs the lambs drenched with the high dose of oil had significantly lower proportions of C16:0, C16:1; C17:0, C17:1, and cis-9 C18:1. Conversely, the lambs drenched with the high dose of oil had significantly higher proportions than the control lambs of TVA and the other trans isomers of C18:1, of the mixed cis-trans isomers of C18:1, of C18:2 and the mixture of cis-trans isomers of C18:2, and of C18:3. Despite the drenching with oil increasing the proportions of WA in the meat the increases in the proportions of cis-9, trans-11 CLA were not significant (P=0.082). In all these comparisons for individual FA the lambs receiving the medium dose of oil were intermediate between the controls and the lambs receiving the high dose of oil.

Over all, the high dose of oil increased the proportions of PUFA and reduced the proportions of SATFA compared with the control lambs and the lambs drenched with the medium dose of oil whereas both doses of oil lowered the proportions of MUFA in the meat compared with the control lambs. The ratio of PUFA:SATFA was higher (P<0.001) for the lambs drenched with the high dosed of oil than for the control lambs and lambs drenched with the medium dose of oil. There were no effects of the drenching with oil on the ratio of omega-6:omega-3 PUFA but the lambs drenched with the medium dose of oil had a lower ratio of Iinoleic:linolenic acid than the control lambs with the lambs drenched with the high dose of oil being intermediate.

Fatty Acids in Plasma

Drenching with the medium dose of oil increased the total lipid content of the plasma by 23% and the high dose increased it by 34% compared to the control lambs (P<0.01; Table 2). The differences among treatments in the FA composition of the plasma largely mirror the differences found in the meat. All the C14:0 to C17:0 saturated FA and their mono-unsaturated FA were higher (P<0.05) for the control lambs than the lambs drenched with the high dose of oil. There were no effects of drenching the lambs with oil on C18:0 but cis-9 C18:1 was lower (P<0.001) in the lambs drenched with the high dose of oil than the control lambs. Conversely, the other C18:1 isomers, including WA, were higher in the lambs drenched with the high dose than the control lambs. Surprisingly given the lower TVA in the control lambs, the cis-9 trans-11 CLA and trans trans CLA were higher (P<0.05) in the plasma of the control lambs than in the lambs drenched with the high dose of oil. Drenching lambs with the high dose of oil increased the proportion of C18:2 and cis trans C18:2 compared with the control lambs. In all the above mentioned FA the proportions of the FA in the lambs drenched with the medium dose of oil were intermediate between the control lambs and the lambs drenched with the high dose of oil. This changed for C18:3 and the longer chained poly-unsaturated FA where the lambs drenched with the medium dose of oil had the higher proportion of these FA compared with the control lambs and/or lambs drenched with the high dose of oil.

Trial 2 Discussion and Conclusions

Fatty Acids in Muscle and Plasma

Drenching the lambs with oil did not increase the TFA content of the meat despite increasing in the lipid content in the plasma. However, there was a change in the composition of the FA in the meat from drenching the lambs with oil containing C18:2 and C18:3 with proportions of these FA being increased in the meat. This was offset by a large reduction in the proportion of cis-9 C18:1 and to a lesser extent the proportions of the saturated and mono-unsaturated C16 and C17 FA. The increase in the proportions of the other isomers of C18:1 including TVA with drenching with the oil suggest there was some disruption of the rumen micro flora involved in the biohydrogenation of C18:2 and C18:3 from the diet. Despite the increase in the proportion of TVA in the meat and plasma from drenching with oil the proportion of cis-9 trans-11 CLA was lower in the plasma from the drenched lambs and only marginally higher in the meat from the drenched lambs. Increasing the dietary intake of C18:2 and C18:3 in the lambs did not increase the proportions of the longer chain omega-6 or omega-3 PUFA in the meat despite C18:2 and C18:3 being the precursors in tissues for these groups of longer chain FA.

TABLE 9 The content of TFA and the proportions of individual and groups of FA in the meat from the Control group of lambs and the lambs drenched daily with Medium or High doses of oil. Control Medium High s.e.d. Sign. diff. Number 13 10 15 TFA (mg/g DM) 79.2 93.2 87.7 9.70 NS (g/100 g TFA) C14:0 2.30 2.44 2.35 0.196 NS C15:0 0.33 0.37 0.34 0.018 NS C16:0 20.69^(a) 20.32^(ab) 18.73^(b) 0.648 ** C17:0 0.94^(a) 0.92^(ab) 0.85^(b) 0.033 * C18:0 19.96 21.17 20.42 0.832 NS SATFA 44.21^(ab) 45.20^(a) 42.68^(b) 0.858 * C17:1 0.44^(a) 0.34^(b) 0.26^(c) 0.021 *** C16:1 0.97^(a) 0.81^(b) 0.72^(b) 0.068 *** Cis-9 C18:1 33.04^(a) 29.45^(b) 27.95^(b) 1.006 *** Cis C18:1 1.74 1.60 1.78 0.138 NS C18:1 c/t 0.34^(c) 0.46^(b) 0.57^(a) 0.026 *** Trans C18:1 0.48^(c) 0.60^(b) 0.67^(a) 0.026 *** TVA 3.36^(c) 4.33^(b) 5.49^(a) 0.329 *** MUFA 40.60^(a) 37.82^(b) 37.66^(b) 0.862 *** Cis-9, trans-11 CLA 0.84 0.92 1.02 0.084 NS C18:2 2.37^(c) 3.26^(b) 4.36^(a) 0.387 *** Cis, trans C18:2 0.21^(b) 0.34^(ab) 0.43^(a) 0.066 ** Trans, trans C18:2 0.26 0.36 0.36 0.071 NS C18:3 1.59^(c) 2.54^(b) 3.27^(a) 0.212 *** C20:4 n-6 0.99 0.77 0.81 0.147 NS C20:5 0.94 0.77 0.86 0.131 NS C22:5 0.86 0.63 0.70 0.110 NS C22:6 0.22 0.18 0.19 0.032 NS PUFA 8.49^(b) 10.01^(b) 12.17^(a) 0.900 *** Unknowns 6.22 6.47 6.95 0.35 NS PUFA:SATFA 0.195^(b) 0.224^(b) 0.287^(a) 0.0242 *** Omega-6:omega-3 1.14 1.20 1.23 0.051 NS Linoleic:linolenic 1.46^(a) 1.27^(b) 1.34^(ab) 0.078 P = 0.063

TABLE 10 The content of TFA and the proportions of individual and groups of FA in the plasma from the Control group of lambs and the lambs drenched daily with Medium or High doses of oil Sign Control Medium High s.e.d. diff. μg lipid/ml plasma 1135^(b) 1400^(a) 1524^(a) 114.6 ** FA (g/100 g TFA) C14:0   1.29^(a)   1.29^(a)   0.86^(b) 0.174 * C15:0   1.14^(a)   0.86^(b)   0.69^(c) 0.047 *** C16:0  13.89^(a)  12.09^(b)  10.57^(c) 0.487 *** C16:1   0.98^(a)   0.51^(b)   0.28^(c) 0.071 *** C17:0   1.14^(a)   0.80^(b)   0.70^(c) 0.032 *** C17:1   0.64^(a)   0.37^(b)   0.16^(c) 0.099 *** C18:0  22.09  21.11  21.52 1.055 NS cis C18:1   1.58^(b)   1.73^(b)   2.24^(a) 0.0.121 *** cis-9 C18:1  21.14^(a)  13.96^(b)  11.44^(c) 0.686 *** C18:1 c/t   1.04^(c)   2.27^(b)   2.58^(a) 0.136 *** trans C18:1   0.58^(b)   0.76^(a)   0.86^(a) 0.052 *** TVA   3.05^(b)   3.04^(b)   4.83^(a) 0.331 *** cis 9, trans-11   0.96^(a)   0.76^(b)   0.73^(b) 0.098 * CLA All trans CLA   0.39^(a)   0.38^(a)   0.26^(b) 0.036 *** C18:2   6.70^(c)  12.73^(b)  14.21^(a) 0.714 *** cis trans C18:2   0.21^(c)   0.48^(b)   1.20^(a) 0.086 *** trans trans C18:2   0.40   0.43   0.33 0.057 NS C18:3   5.08^(b)   9.44^(a)   9.33^(a) 0.783 *** C20:4 n-6   0.76^(b)   0.90^(a)   0.65^(b) 0.061 *** C20:5   1.71^(b)   2.18^(a)   1.61^(b) 0.191 ** C22:5   1.53^(ab)   1.75^(a)   1.28^(b) 0.156 * C22:6   1.01^(a)   1.19^(a)   0.76^(b) 0.123 ** Miscellaneous   1.38   1.10   1.31 0.133 NS Unknowns  11.45^(a)   9.96^(b)  11.63^(a) 0.705 *

Miscellaneous includes all the FA that were identified but the proportions were less than 0.2 g/100 g TFA.

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Plant J. 19, 645-653.

APPENDICIES Appendix I

Sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 cDNA Open Reading Frame (Grey Box) Cloned into pENTR-D.

Appendix II

Sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 Transcribed Genomic Region (Grey Box) Cloned into pENTR-D.

Appendix III

Sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 cDNA Open Reading Frame (Grey Box) Cloned into pRS12.

Appendix IV

Sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana DGAT1 Transcribed Genomic Region (Grey Box) Cloned into pRS12. 

1-6. (canceled)
 7. A plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part, comprising an incorporated construct, said incorporated construct comprising a nucleic acid from a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species encoding a diacylglycerol acyl transferase (DGAT-1) or effective to reduce expression of DGAT-1, wherein the construct alters the phenotype of the plant by altering expression levels of DGAT-1.
 8. (canceled)
 9. A method of modifying fatty acid biosynthesis in a plant, said method comprising introducing into a plant an effective amount of a nucleic acid from a ryegrass (Lolium) or fescue (Festuca) species encoding a diacylglycerol acyl transferase (DGAT-1) or effective to reduce expression of DGAT-1, wherein the nucleic acid alters the phenotype of the plant by altering expression levels of DGAT-1 to modify fatty acid biosynthesis. 10-18. (canceled)
 19. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 7, wherein the nucleic acid is selected from the group consisting of: (a) SEQ ID No: 10; (a) SEQ ID No: 38; (c) a variant of SEQ ID No: 38, wherein the variant is different from SEQ ID NO.:38 as a consequence of one or more nucleotide changes and wherein all of the changes result in conservative amino acid substitutions, with the proviso that the variant of SEQ ID No 38 has at least 95% sequence identity with SEQ ID No: 38; (d) the complement of SEQ ID No: 10; (e) the complement of SEQ ID No: 38; (f) the complement of the variant as defined in (c); and (g) a nucleic acid fragment that has a length of at least 60 nucleotides wherein the entire sequence of the nucleic acid fragment is the same as or the complement of a sequence of the same length within SEQ ID No:
 10. 20. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 19, wherein the nucleic acid is SEQ ID No:
 10. 21. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 19, wherein the nucleic acid is SEQ ID No:
 38. 22. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 19, wherein the nucleic acid is a variant of SEQ ID No: 38, wherein the variant is different from SEQ ID NO.:38 as a consequence of one or more nucleotide changes and wherein all of the changes result in conservative amino acid substitutions, with the proviso that the variant of SEQ ID No 38 has at least 95% sequence identity with SEQ ID No:
 38. 23. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 19, wherein the nucleic acid is the complement of SEQ ID No:
 10. 24. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 19, wherein the nucleic acid is the complement of SEQ ID No:
 38. 25. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 19, wherein the nucleic acid is the complement of a variant of SEQ ID No: 38, wherein the variant is different from SEQ ID NO.:38 as a consequence of one or more nucleotide changes and wherein all of the changes result in conservative amino acid substitutions, with the proviso that the variant of SEQ ID No 38 has at least 95% sequence identity with SEQ ID No:
 38. 26. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 19, wherein the nucleic acid has a length of at least 60 nucleotides wherein the entire sequence of the nucleic acid fragment is the same as or the complement of a sequence of the same length within SEQ ID No:
 10. 27. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 19, wherein the plant is a monocotyledon.
 28. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 19, wherein the plant is a dicotyledon.
 29. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 7, wherein the nucleic acid is selected from the group consisting of: (a) SEQ ID No: 26; (b) SEQ ID No: 27; (c) the complement of SEQ ID No: 26; (d) the complement of SEQ ID No: 27; and (e) a nucleic acid fragment that has a length of at least 60 nucleotides wherein the sequence is the same as or the complement of a sequence of the same length within SEQ ID No:
 26. 30. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 29, wherein the nucleic acid is SEQ ID No:
 26. 31. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 29, wherein the nucleic acid is SEQ ID No:
 27. 32. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 29, wherein the nucleic acid is the complement of SEQ ID No: 26;
 33. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 29, wherein the nucleic acid is the complement of SEQ ID No: 27
 34. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 29, wherein the nucleic acid is a nucleic acid fragment that has a length of at least 60 nucleotides wherein the sequence is the same as or the complement of a sequence of the same length within SEQ ID No:
 26. 35. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 34, wherein the plant is a monocotyledon.
 36. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 34, wherein the plant is a dicotyledon.
 37. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 7, wherein the plant is a monocotyledon.
 38. The plant cell, plant, plant seed or other plant part of claim 7, wherein the plant is a dicotyledon. 